Rotary cutters are easier to use than scissors. When used the right way, they help you make crisp and precise cuts more quickly. By following the below tips, you will be able to cut fabric faster so you can sit down and begin sewing.

1. Prepare the Fabric

For the best results when using a rotary cutter along with pinning pattern pieces on your fabric, it is important to prepare the material in advance. Pre-wash and dry your fabric, spread it out on a suitable surface, and press it.

Trying to cut through wrinkles and creases can affect the neatness of your cut and result in messy, crooked edges. This can make it difficult to sew straight seams on quilting machines. Rotary cutters work better on flat, pressed fabric. A little spray starch can also help by stiffening softer, pre-washed fabric just enough to help the cutter glide right through.

2. Square the Fabric Edges

Before you start to measure quilt strips and charms to sew on your Juki TL 2200QVP-S, square the fabric edges to ensure the pattern and grain are straight. Match selvage edges together, fold fabric in half, press, and check the cut edges. If the cut edges are crooked, trim them across so the selvages match and the pattern and grain are straight. This will prevent cutting crooked pieces and let the pattern in the fabric look the way it should.

3. Use A Sharp Blade

Whether you use a rotary cutter or a pair of scissors, a dull blade can damage or ruin fabric. To avoid this, check your blade on some scrap fabric to make sure it is still sharp; replace the blade if necessary. A sharp blade can easily cut through four or five layers of pressed fabric, reducing the amount of time you need to spend cutting pieces for sewing on Juki quilting machines.

To make this easier, always keep extra blades for your cutter on hand so you can change them as needed to keep making sharp, clean cuts.

4. Use A Cutting Mat

Rotary cutters are made for use on a cutting mat that has a little bit of give. Although you could technically cut on any hard surface, getting clean cuts through to the last of multiple layers is easier when the blade can sink slightly into the mat. Using a mat also helps retain blade sharpness and reduce how often you need to switch blades.

5. Start Cutting

Once you have the fabric on the cutting mat, pattern pieces measured out, and a sharp blade in your cutter, you are ready to start cutting. Using a clear plastic ruler as your guide, grip the cutter firmly in your hand and position it against the side of the ruler and closest to you, facing away from your body. Firmly push down while rolling the cutter forward in a single, even motion. Just like that, your fabric is cut.

Rotary cutters make quick work out of cutting the many pieces needed to piece and sew beautiful quilts on quilting machines. When used correctly, you should have few problems getting all of your cutting done so you can start using your Juki TL 2200QVP-S. With the right tools such as sharp rotary cutters, creating beautiful quilts with great Juki quilting machines is a breeze!